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Cambodian Trails - Angkor and Beyond

The iconic temples of Angkor lie scattered over a vast area surrounded by jungle. Trekking peacefully from temple to temple on footpaths known to few, we escape the crowds and see them in a different light. In Cambodia's far eastern province of Mondulkiri, we hike to waterfalls and tribal villages and enjoy the unique experience of a day walking with elephants at the Elephant Valley Project.

Itinerary

1

Join tour Phnom Penh; afternoon walking tour

Our adventure begins in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital since the mid-15th century. Lying at the confluence of the Sap, Mekong and Bassac Rivers, the city is an engaging mix of tree-lined boulevards, colonial villas and vibrant markets that reflect the country's fascinating mix of ancient and colonial traditions. After a chance to settle in, this afternoon we take a two hour walking tour around the city, beginning at the Wat Phnom temple and wandering down past the old Post Office building towards the riverside, where we visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Built by the French in 1866, this spectacular pagoda-style structure is without doubt one of Phnom Penh's most impressive sights.

Our walking tour today is expected to take approximately two hours.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

2

Visit the 'Killing Fields' and the markets of Phnom Penh

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek are a gruesome reminder of life under the Khmer Rouge. Between 1975 and 1978 somewhere close to 17000 men, women and children were murdered here and its memorial stupa, a huge glass tower filled with human skulls, is a sombre memorial to the scale of Pol Pot's atrocities. You should be aware that by their very nature Tuol Sleng and the 'Killing Fields' can be a distressing visit for some people. This afternoon the mood is lightened with a visit to the Art Deco styling of the Central Market and the energetic chaos of the Old Russian Market, renowned for its textiles, jewellery and antiques.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Drive to Sen Monorom via rainforest and waterfalls

Departing the capital this morning we head first for the provincial capital of Kompong Cham, passing through a landscape of vast rubber plantations originally established by the French. Arriving in time for lunch, we take a walk down to the riverfront to visit the Bamboo Bridge, before continuing by road on to the 11th century sandstone temple of Wat Nokor. After a chance to explore the temple, we drive to Mondulkiri province in the far east of Cambodia. With thickly forested mountains, waterfalls and lush rolling hills, this region is one of the most sparsely populated in the country. Over 80% of the population here come from animist hill tribes with the majority being Phnong, who live off the land, still practicing shifting 'slash and burn' cultivation. They also plant rice, fruit trees, coffee, rubber and cashew nuts and hunt wild animals. Our base for the next three nights is the town of Sen Monorom, the only settlement of any note in the entire province.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

4

Walking with elephants at the Elephant Valley Project

Today we will visit the Elephant Valley Project, a unique initiative which takes care of several herds of retired, former working elephants and rehabilitates them back into their natural habitat. We will be able to enjoy a concept the project describes as 'walking with the herd', getting up close to the elephants as they roam free in their natural habitat. We expect to accompany the elephants for five to six hours, walking across open grassland and through the forests, taking in the views across the Otey River. Accompanying the elephants to enjoy a cooling wash in a nearby waterfall is often the highlight of a visit.

Today's walk, in the company of elephants, is expected to take approximately five to six hours.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

5

Walking in the forests of Andong Kraloeng

To the west of Sen Monorom lie the forests of Andong Kraloeng, the setting for today's walk which is the most challenging of the holiday, due to the jungle terrain and possibility of mud if it has been raining. Driving first to the village of Veal Amerik (named after the Americans based here during the Vietnam war), the trail then leads us into a forest and towards a steep hill covered in towering clumps of Sra Lao trees and strangler vines that are home to black-shanked douc monkeys, giant squirrels and great hornbills. Following lunch at the Leng Kho Waterfall, we return to Veal Amerik this afternoon and drive back to the village of Andong Kraloeng, for the chance to swim at the Leng Kao falls. We return to the hotel via the Seima Protected Forest.

Today's walk is expected to take approximately two to three hours.

Overnight: Simple HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

6

Drive to Kratie; afternoon dolphin watching by boat

Today we head for the banks of the Mekong and the town of Kratie, home to a group of rare Irrawaddy dolphins. The town itself is sprinkled with an interesting collection of old French and Khmer style buildings, but the main attraction are the dolphins. This afternoon we take to the waters of the Mekong in small boats, to enjoy the chance to search for some of the last freshwater dolphins left in the Mekong. In the late afternoon we plan to walk up the many stone steps leading to Phnom Sambok, a temple occupying a prominent hilltop to the north of the town from where we can enjoy a panoramic view over the surrounding countryside.

Today's walk is expected to take approximately one hour.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

7

Just across the river from Kratie lies the island of Koh Trong, a giant sandbar that sits in the heart of the river. Travelling across there this morning, we have a chance to explore the island on foot and by bike, spending a couple of hours soaking up village life, visiting the old stupa and maybe even coming across one of the rare Mekong turtles that live on the western side of the island. Returning to the mainland, we then continue on to Kompong Thom by road, travelling through Chhlong and the Cham villages as we head towards the banks of the Stung Saen River.

Today's walking and cycling is expected to take approximately two hours.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

8

Forest temple walks at Sambor Prei Kuk; drive to Siem Reap

The pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk lie just to the north of Kampong Thom, on the eastern banks of Tonle Sap. This morning we discover this forested complex on foot, spending a couple of hours exploring the temple ruins and the beautiful subtropical forests that surround them. Vastly underrated, these impressive ruins are considered to be Cambodia's most striking pre-Angkorian monuments and once served as the capital of the Upper Chenla region during the early 7th century. After the visit we continue to the town of Siem Reap, gateway to the stunning temples of Angkor.

Today's walk is expected to take approximately two to three hours.

Overnight: Comfortable HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

9

This morning we enjoy a gently ascending walk through the shade of the forest on the south western slopes of the Kulen Hills to the riverbed carvings of Kbal Spean. The site consists of a series of 11th century stone carvings of lingams (the phallic symbol of the Hindu god Shiva) and various Hindu deities, carved into the sandstone of the riverbed and banks. It is commonly known as the 'River of a Thousand Lingas' and has a very tranquil atmosphere. Our next destination is the nearby Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Cambodia's first nature conservation and endangered wildlife rescue centre where we may see a number of the mammals that inhabit Cambodia's rainforest including the Pangolin, Palm Civet and Leopard Cat. Our next Angkorian site today is the temple at Banteay Srei known for the intricacy of its pink sandstone carvings. We end the day with a visit to the Cambodian Land-mine Museum, where education and support are provided for dozens of children whose bodies, hearts and minds have been affected by land-mines.

Today's walk is expected to take approximately three hours.

Overnight: Comfortable HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

10

Temple to temple walking at Angkor

Today we have a full day to explore the temples of Angkor on foot. Following in the footsteps of the intrepid explorers of old along jungle pathways, we will escape the tourist crowds and approach the temples with a different perspective. It's the perfect way to take in the rich archaeological majesty of the area. We begin at dawn with Ta Prohm, the exquisitely ethereal 'Tomb Raider' temple that has been part consumed by the jungle, before we move on to Ta Nei and Ta Keo, one of Angkor's great temple-mountains and one of the first built entirely of sandstone. Following jungle pathways, we negotiate our way around the fortified city of Angkor Thom and stroll along the massive stone walls towards the city's spectacular centrepiece, the Bayon. One of the architectural gems of Angkor, this maze of corridors, temples and giant stone faces is also home to some of the finest bas reliefs anywhere in the city.

Today's temple to temple walking is expected to take approximately five to six hours.

Overnight: Comfortable HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

11

Sunrise walking at Angkor Wat; free afternoon in Siem Reap

Early this morning we will drive to the magnificent complex of Angkor Wat, to watch the warming glow of the rising sun bring life to what is without doubt the most breathtaking of all the jungle temple sites. Entering through the east gate on foot, we then enjoy an extended visit walking around a site that covers several square kilometres. Originally built as a funerary temple for Suryavarman II, in honour of Vishnu, it represents for many the pinnacle of Khmer art and architecture and little can truly prepare you for the initial sight of this stunning setting in the early morning light. This afternoon has then been left free to continue exploring more of the temples at your leisure or you may wish to spend some time in the pleasant town of Siem Reap which has a lively market and many shopping opportunities.

Overnight: Comfortable HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

12

Tour ends in Siem Reap

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Cambodian Trails - Angkor and Beyond tour available at present.